Top resource for mystery collectors -- mostly signed mysteries, reviewed here with knowledge and delight.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Tasha Tudor Passes Away ... But Her Illustrations Live for Generations

[photo by Richard Brown]New England charm is often created and supported through the visual artists who portray the region. This is especially true of the children's books illustrated by Tasha Tudor, whose New Hampshire farm, Corgi dogs, and flower gardens accompanied her painted rosy-cheeked children and their adult friends in all seasons.

Tudor died at her late-life home in Marlboro, Vermont, on Wednesday June 18 at age 92. There isn't room on this page for the extensive list of her work -- but there's a well-written LA Times obit to read if you like.

A brief note on the photo above: This is one of Richard Brown's photographs, and we hope that he'll forgive its use today; Brown's photo portrait book THE PRIVATE WORLD OF TASHA TUDOR is revealing, tender, and crafted with something of a Dutch painter's use of light. He told us in the past that the work with Tudor in her determinedly old-fashioned home functioned as an internship in photographic lighting for him, teaching him more than he'd imagined was ahead of him. The book is still available (although we're out of copies here at Kingdom Books), and we both recommend it.

Coming next week: A look at the very different illustrations and booksmithing of Barry Moser, an adopted New Englander.

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ABOUT KINGDOM BOOKS

Kingdom Books is a specialty mystery bookshop in northeastern Vermont. Beth Kanell, co-owner with her husband Dave, writes New England mysteries, adventure travel, and poetry, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. Dave Kanell's sleuthing record among mystery books takes first place, whether classic or cutting edge.

Kingdom Books in Vermont

Open by appointment, mostly mysteries, mostly signed ... some poetry for balance!

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Kingdom Books offers mostly first editions, many signed, and hosts occasional author events. Mysteries line the rooms, with the largest section now the signed books, then the unsigned books by American authors, the British and other foreign authors, the "classics," and a special Sherlock Holmes section. Browse them at our AbeBooks site. Poetry and fine press work often appeal to us, too, so every now and then we write about these.